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23 June 2015

FEATURE: Just in case

Five ways to keep
your phone safe this summer.

The summer can bring out the adventurer in all of us; be it
conquering a mountain, or jogging to fetch the morning paper. But while an
increase in action is great for our health, it can also mean an increase in risk
to our smartphones. With that in mind we've tested a few new cases designed to
keep your pocket investment safe no matter what you get up to this sunny
season.

Urban Armor Gear
Scout

This tough, thick, rugged outer hard shell case is designed
to fit the Samsung Galaxy Note III. UAG also make cases for all the most
popular phones and tablets currently out there, but we tested their mettle on
the Note III... and we weren't disappointed. Despite almost doubling the
thickness of the device, the Scout offered easy to grip buttons, openings for
all the vital ports (including the S Pen), and came wrapped in
military-standard drop-proof armour. Also included is an anti-glare screen
protector, meaning this case is the full package. We love the
industrial-looking design and the brushed metal logo on the back.

Calm down dear British readers, for although we must
tolerate once again the colonial spelling of armour, this offer from Spigen is
a fantastic way to protect your iPhone 6. Comprising both a soft inner TPU case
and a tough outer polycarbonate shell, the Tough Armor keeps your phone snug
and safe, while still allowing access to all the ports and buttons. As well as
protecting your phone the Spigen Tough Armor also serves a handy entertainment
purpose, as it ships with a credit card-sized stand that slots into the back of
the case, propping up your iPhone 6 in a choice of two different angles. Comes
in three completely acceptable colours to boot.

If style and convenience
matter more than sheer strength, perhaps this case for the Galaxy S6 is for
you. The Slim Wallet Case from XQISIT is made from synthetic leather and
features a magnetically closing flip cover with slots for your credit cards on
the inside. The inner polycarbonate case simply clips onto the back of your S6,
providing sturdy shock proofing, while the flip offers further rigidity and
also acts as a great screen protector. We liked that it didn't seem as bulky as
some wallet flip cases tend to, and when opened up the flip panel (even with
credit cards stored in it) folds neatly back to make holding the case and phone
a cinch.

The good thing about
taking your phone near water is that water is soft so you don't have to worry
about dropping it. However, water is also like poison to electronics, ruining
circuit boards and 'bricking' your precious talky-box. If you, like millions of
other people, plan to be anywhere near the sea, a swimming pool, a paddling
pool, a lake, or a pond this summer... get this. The BeachBuoy from Proporta is
a soft fabric case that seals up your iPhone 6 good and tight, preventing water
ingress while still allowing you access to the touch screen. Waterproof to a
depth of five metres, the BeachBuoy is also sand proof, dust proof, and fish
proof - just in case a cheeky cod should try to make off with it. The case also
comes with a lanyard so you can stow your phone around your neck, and although
it is marketed for the iPhone 6, it will also accommodate other similar sized
(or smaller) phones.

Do you know what
should be your very first accessory purchase for your shiny new phone this
summer, even before you think about buying any of the above? A screen protector
of course. The screen is the most fragile part of any smartphone, and also the part
that gets most of our attention. That is why a decent protector is a must, not
just for exciting adventures out in the sun, but for kicking around the house
as well. Zagg's InvisibleShield is a damn mighty thing, coming in shapes and
sizes to fit the most popular models of phones and tablets. Incorporating material
originally designed to protect military helicopter blades, these protectors are
easy to apply, are self-healing, protect against scratches and impacts, and are
covered by a lifetime warranty. Amazingly, this was the first screen protector
we've ever applied to a phone that didn't leave it looking like The Kingdom of
the Bubbles. Nice.

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The Test Pit is a place where all manner of things get tested... often to destruction. Gadgets, technology, toys, and clothing - all are fair game in the Pit. Our reviews are honest, jargon-free, and funny. Well, we try...